Goldfish in outdoor ponds

[concord]

As some of you know Goldfishstein is getting way to big for his tank, If I could extract him could I put him in an outdoor pond? What would be the best way to put him in and acclamitise him and would he be OK in the UK winters?

I ask here because some online sources are unreliable.

 

[Joshy]

I personally would not recommend introducing a fish to an outdoor pond at this time of year with out weather. Spring is normally the best time. Can he hold off until March or April for the move?

If it is really desperate that he has to move, pick a sunny day with no ice on the pond surface. Get a fish bag and pop him in it with some of his tank water. And like any other acclimatising process, leave it to float to reach temperatures, and add a little pond water every so often to the bag.

How deep is your pond concord? For the warmest parts of England we need at least a 2 foot depth for fish to over-winter. If you’re from further up North, your pond will need a depth of 3 foot roughly for the fish to do okay.

Also be aware that this time of year, pond fish don’t eat very much at all. You will not need to feed him once introduced to the pond, as the cold temperatures puts them in a sort of hibernation. You might know all that already, but just throwing it all in.

 

[Chad55]

Yes it CAN be done in the cold weather. I did it with a big white sucker. BUT it is not ideal. And I wouldn't add pond water periodically as that just puts more stress on the fish with many sudden changes rather than one change. I would just float him for ATLEAST an hour then put him in. Also maybe you could just fill the pond with water that matches his tank temp then let the pond cool on its own...that is if the pond isn't that large.

Chad

 

[Joshy]

Chad it is 5C out here during midday where i am (and i am in the warmest part of England)...definably far from ideal. While again i would disagree with your acclimatisation suggestion. I see where your coming from, but lots of little changes is better than one big change. During the one hour, if you empty out a bit of tank water from the bag and add a little pond water every so often, the water stats will slowly match for when you release it.
It is the way I have always been taught and way I have taught others. Plonking him into different water can be really risky, especially with the immune system being weak due to the cold temperature.

 

[Chad55]

I have my beliefs and you have yours...I would never use that way though. I believe it puts way more stress on them. I would either use drip or just temp. acclimate.

Chad

 

[RadleyMiller]

I have my beliefs and you have yours...I would never use that way though. I believe it puts way more stress on them. I would either use drip or just temp. acclimate.

Chad

the spash method isn't gradual at all IMO

Since it is a pond, you aren't able to drip. The pond's water will be usually of better quality than the tank he is in (I saw the video) so let him float for a while and let him loose.

 

[concord]

hmm we'll see the idea has to be approved by parents first.

 

[FishSkins]

the acclamation would be best done in the warmer moths , wait till late spring when it's warms up